Big Pimpin' and other stuff

[fredericks]

Yesterday was actually a pretty big day for me. I got a taste of how it would be to work for Radio Shack. And, let me tell you, the only thing that comes to mind is "pimpin' my ass for the cash".

But I should back up and explain. I'd been eyeing RS for a while. The one in Fresh Meadows had an advert in the window for seasonal help (like most stores do this time of year). I said to myself "Self, you pass by here a lot, you might as well look into it". So I went in and, after picking up some doo-dad or the other, I asked the associate manager about it. He told me to come back next Wednesday around five, and I'm thinking "Cool. This should be easy: meet with the manager, show my resume, then sign on the dotted line. Guaranteed cash in time for Chanukah". Wrong-o. When I returned yesterday, smartly dressed and practically wielding my resume like a weapon, I ended up standing and waiting with 27 other smartly dressed, resume-as-weapons wielding individuals. Well, my fragile lil' world just crumbled right there. I wanted a job, but not enough to attempt to answer the bullshit question "why do YOU want to work for Radioshack" better than anyone else. However, after a minute of contemplation I thought "what the hell, just give it a shot", so I stayed until they called us inside to the conference room.

Then the talking began. The district manager started explaining his life story and how he ended up working at Radioshack blahblah, like we gave a rats ass. But most of us (including myself) appeared to be thinking that it was the most interesting talk we'd heard since the time we exited the womb. He explained the whole incentive thing, which I dislike but don't necessarily have a problem with. Then he entered territory that would have normally had me running for the door laughing hysterically if I, one, cared at that point and, two, didn't so desperately need cash - he explained that you get more money back by selling cellphones and Radioshack brand batteries to the customers. And you basically have to push it onto them, because "people might not know that they want it, but that's where you come in". Pimping, like I mentioned above. I just can't see myself doing that.

But I stayed. I stayed. I stayed through the horribly-acted intro video (! yes, they showed us a damn video), where they pounded into us the fact that the fate of our lives, NAY, the fate of the entire universe may depend on whether or not we can get helpless old ladies that wander into the store looking for batteries for their hearing aids to walk out clutching a brand new cellphone. Then we took a test (!) in which our integrity and math skills were measured (I remember seeing one of these things in a psych book; it had a lot of "absolute" questions like "you never get angry when yelled at", along with more ridiculous ones), while being called for screening interviews. I zoomed through the test (I didn't care anymore so I didn't bother to BS the answers - take me as I am, Radioshack! TAKE.ME.AS.I.AM! ::cue trumpets::) and was eventually called for my screening with the district manager. I don't know how I did, but I answered the questions with as little BS as I could muster. They're supposed to call you back Thursday and Friday if you passed the test and the screening. If I get it, great, if not I saw that Gamestop is also hiring for the season. I plan on passing there today and filling out the paperwork after I drop back by Queens Hospital. I *can* BS for Gamestop, because my brothers would literally worship the ground I walked on if I worked in a game store. Hells, I might go into conniptions myself.

Anyway, after that I decided to catch a flick (seeing as I was in the area) and I saw Kill Bill. It was all right, nothing but action and blood blood blood. Nice cinematography though. I think I'd rank the Tarantino films I've seen as follows:

1. Jackie Brown (love LOVE that movie - all hail Pam Grier)
2. Reservoir Dogs
3. Pulp Fiction
4. Kill Bill

I enjoyed all of them, don't get me wrong, but Kill Bill really had nothing to grip you with, emotionally. Jackie Brown had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Reservoir Dogs had a raw power that both tagged it as a directorial debut and a great movie (that sentence makes sense, but I suppose you have to be me to realize it - ha ha). Pulp Fiction was woven together really well, but I thought it dragged a lot during the "Vincent and Marcellus Wallace's Wife" segment. Other than that, golden. Hmm. Depending on the time of day I might actually rank Kill Bill above Pulp Fiction on my list. But right now that stays.

Wow. Talk about heading off-course. I should wrap this up and prepare for the day. Krishna's waiting to be walked.

Heh. "Ridiculously romantic". I'm beginning to love this song.

Laters, alligators.

Comments

[gorzo.livejournal.com]

I've done enough time in the retail trenches to now just find it amusing at how seriously they can sometimes take counter-jockey jobs. I mean, seriously, if your company's success hinges upon some underpaid and abused salesclerk selling Radio Shack brand batteries to every dipstick who wanders by, it's time to re-evaluate your strategies, okay? I hear stocking what your customers want and actual customer service is in nowadays. Might be worth a shot for some of these companies that seem to have lost their way.